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New York Knicks waive Kurt Thomas, oldest player in NBA

CLEVELAND (AP) — Knicks coach Mike Woodson hated to see Kurt Thomas go. New York released the NBA's oldest player on Friday, a necessary move with the team gearing up for the NBA playoffs. "It's a major loss

New York released the NBA's oldest player Friday, a necessary move with the team gearing up for the NBA playoffs.

"It's a major loss because Kurt is a major part of what we're doing here," Woodson said before the Knicks faced the Cleveland Cavaliers. "But we had to let him go because he won't be able to play in the playoffs."

The 40-year-old has been sidelined the past month with a stress fracture in his right foot. He missed 12 games.

In a release, New York general manager Glen Grunwald said the team let Thomas go "due to a rash of injuries to our big men, we felt that it was important for us to free up a spot on our roster."

The Knicks filled the roster opening by signing free agent Solomon Jones, who previously played for Woodson with the Atlanta Hawks. The 6-10 center had been playing in China. Solomon, who was expected to get playing time against the Cavs, was with the New Orleans Hornets and Los Angeles Clippers last season.

New York has been hobbled by injuries to frontline players Tyson Chandler and forward Kenyon Martin, who sat out Thursday's loss to the Chicago Bulls that ended the Knicks 13-game winning streak. Both are sitting out Friday's game as well against the Cavaliers, but guard Raymond Felton was in the starting lineup despite "tweaking" his right knee on the first possession of overtime against the Bulls.

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Tim Duncan, left, and Kevin Garnett seemingly have been rivals forever. But they aren't even among the five oldest players in the NBA. Flip through this gallery to see the 15 for the 2013-14 season, including both of these guys.
Ann Heisenfelt, AP

15. Paul Pierce, Brooklyn Nets. Birth date: Oct. 13, 1977. The longtime Celtics star is a future Hall of Famer who finally is showing his age this season for the Nets.
Anthony Gruppuso, USA TODAY Sports

14. Jason Terry, Brooklyn Nets. Birth date: Sept. 15, 1977. Part of the same trade that brought Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to Brooklyn, Terry has continued in his role as a sixth man.
Anthony Gruppuso, USA TODAY Sports

13. Nazr Mohammed, Chicago Bulls. Birth date: Sept. 5, 1977. The bruising center has been a key reserve for most of his NBA career and continues in that role.
Steve Mitchell Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

12. Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs. Birth date: July 28, 1977. The three-time NBA champion went from the 57th pick of the 1999 draft to a likely Hall of Famer and still is a key player for the undying Spurs.
Russell Isabella, USA TODAY Sports

11. Pablo Prigioni, New York Knicks. Birth date: May 17, 1977. The Argentine guard did not even join the NBA until last season after a great career in Europe and now contributes quite a bit for the Knicks.
Mary Langenfeld, USA TODAY Sports

Tim Duncan, left, and Kevin Garnett seemingly have been rivals forever. But they aren't even among the five oldest players in the NBA. Flip through this gallery to see the 15 for the 2013-14 season, including both of these guys.
Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY Sports

8. Antawn Jamison, Los Angeles Clippers. Birth date: June 12, 1976. The former All-Star now is resting up early in the season with hopes of getting back on court for the playoffs.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports

6. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs. Birth date: April 25, 1976. Duncan has graduated from being the best player in the NBA to being the best old player, still extremely efficient even as his minutes have been cut slightly.
Soobum Im, USA TODAY Sports

3. Mike James, Chicago Bulls. Birth date: June 23, 1975. The unbelievably fit point guard took the long way to the NBA the first time and needed a Development League stint to make it back last season.
Matt Marton, USA TODAY Sports

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The Knicks are already without big men Rasheed Wallace and Amare Stoudemire, and backup center Marcus Camby has missed most of the season with foot problems.

Thomas, an 18-year NBA veteran averaged 2.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 10 minutes in 39 games with the Knicks this season. He first signed with New York in 1999 as a free agent. This was his second stint with the club.

"Kurt is a total pro, and we're on the same page," Woodson said. "We'll probably look at him next season once he gets healthy, and if he ever wants a job coaching, I'll bring him in right away."